Italian Easter Bread Recipe

Name: Italian Easter Bread Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 3 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pkg yeast; 1/4 c warm water; 1/2 c butter; 1/2 c sugar; 6 egg yolks; 1/2 tsp salt; 3/4 c warm milk; 1 tsp lemon zest, grated; 2 tsp vanilla; 4 1/4 c flour; 1 tsp melted butter; 1 egg white, scrambled; 6 colored eggs (raw) (3 for each loaf - this is a guess)

By Joanne Bellezza-Loughlin
@Joannebl

This is my mom's recipe. She got it from her girlfriend, Bernie. Both great cooks. The directions weren't that great so I had to improvise a bit. I'm posting this for Val who requested it. Val, hope you make this and let us know how it turns out. Will definitely be making this for Easter this year!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This bread is just pretty as a picture...a festive addition to Easter dinner! The Test Kitchen

Rating:

★★★★★ 13 votes5

Comments:

228 Comments

Prep:

2 Hr 30 Min

Cook:

45 Min

Method:

Bake

Ingredients

1 pkg

yeast
1/4 c

warm water
1/2 c

butter
1/2 c

sugar
6

egg yolks
1/2 tsp

salt
3/4 c

warm milk
1 tsp

lemon zest, grated
2 tsp

vanilla
4 1/4 c

flour
1 tsp

melted butter
1

egg white, scrambled
6

colored eggs (raw) (3 for each loaf - this is a guess)
Add Ingredients to Grocery List

How to Make Italian Easter Bread Recipe

Step-by-Step

Sprinkle yeast in warm water to dissolve.
Cream butter and beat in sugar, egg yolks and salt. Then stir in warm milk, lemon zest, vanilla and yeast mixture.
Add 2 cups of the flour and beat for 5 minutes.
Gradually beat in remaining flour, then place dough on floured board and knead.
Place dough in greased bowl and top with a little melted butter. Let rise 1 1/2 to 2 hours, then knead again.
Cut dough into 6 pieces and roll each piece into a rope.
Form 3 ropes into a braid (you will get two loaves).
Nestle colored raw eggs throughout each braid.
Brush top of loaves with egg whites.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.